Machine for separating liquids from solids



Dec. 8 1925- 1,565,002 H. c. BEHR v MACHINE FOR SEPARTING LIQUIDS FROM SOLIDS Filed July 24, 1922 4 Sheets-Shet `l Dec. 8, 1925- H. C. B-EHR MCHINE FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS FROM SDLIDS 4 Sheets-Sheet v2 Filed July 24, 1922 H. 'QBEHR MACHIN FOR SEPARATING LIQUIDS FROM'SOLIDS Dec. 8, 1925 Filed July 24. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y K grwenloz l Hans' 25e/lfb? atto: un,

Dec. 8, l925- H. c. BEHR CHINE FOR ASIPARA'I'ING LIQ-UIDS FROM SOLIDS Filed July 24, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 a7 .a5 92 .O ga Ggf?? 4Z l .9/ y I kmr-.69 A w I O 7 .//9 ma @7 "2g" o 3 i o 9 w 70 5@ 9o 2 ef 6J jg 7? 2g f@ y; fz o .3@ 2? l f// @3 ai 'f @Z0/df 0 4 v 4@ ad f 4M wvwntoac 71am 6' .5e/21' aucun? Patented Det.- 8, 19.25.

HaNs c. BEER, oF scnBsDALE, NIW YORK,

MACHINE .ron SEPARATING LIQUIDs rzaoM soLnis.

Appiieation mea :iuiy 24,1922. seriai No. 577,130.

To all 'whom tmag/ concern:

Be it known that I, HANS C. Bami, a citizen of the United States, residing at Scarsdale, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and4 useful Improvements in Machines for Separating Liquids from Solids: and I do here'- by declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled iii the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to van apparatus for centrifugally separating liquids from solids, and has for its object to improve the constructions heretofore proposed.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel parts' and combinations of parts constituting the apparatus, all as will be more fully hereinafter disclosed and the claims.

But it may be said that one particular object of the invention is to providean apparatus of this nature provided with a horizontal axis or at least with a non-vertical axis, and such an assemblage of parts as will enable one to easily obtain access to the location of the bearings and gears inorder that their functioning and operation mayv be readily supervised and controlled.

Another vobject of the invention when more specifically stated, is to provide such a design of the apparatus as will facilitate the assemblage, the dismantling, and the replacement of those parts which are most subject to wear.

Still `other objects are to prevent the es cape of the separated products from the `treceivers into which they are discharged except at the proper .outlets that are provided, and to prevent any lubricant from entering the material' being treated.

These objects are accomplished by a construction which enables the material tobe fed`througha xed' tube, horizontally disposed. The material enters the center of a horizontally disposed or somewhat inclined continuous centrifugal machine.` From'this i centrifugal machine, the said separatedsol'- ids and liquids are each discharged into narrow zones spaced apart, and are deflected from the plane of rotation preferably in such a manner as to recede from each other. The

forming particularly pointed out in separating elements are overhung at corresponding ends of their respective axes, the one located within the other and geared together, so .that the inner axle carrying the conveying and discharging element rotates at a somewhat slower rate than the outer tube shaped' axlevcarrying the foraminous separating element, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanyin drawings a part of this speci cation, 1n which like numerals designate like parts in al1 he views:

igure 1 is' a vertical 1side elevational view, partly in section, through lthe center line portionof an apparatus made in accordance with this invention; i 4

Figure 2 is aplan view, partly in section of the parts shown in Figure 1, the sectional portions being shown on a lane through the central portion of theimac ine;

Figure 3 is an elevational view partially inv section of certain of the parts showii in Figure 2, when looking toward the feed end of the apparatus or toward the left,'as seen in said gure;

F igure 1 is an elevational view of the feed end of the apparatus when looking toward the right, as seen in Figure 2';

Figure 5 is a view of the conveyor when removed from the machine;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken throu h the impeller ring and smaller end of the oraminou's screen; e

Figure 7 is a detailed sectional view of the enlarged end of the foraminous screen surrounding the conveyor shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlaroed sectional view,v

showing a portion of the parts shown in Figure 2 for .the sake of clearness; and

Figure 9 is an elevational view partl -in section of those vportions of the mac 'ne which surround the enlarged. end of` the foraminous' screen when looking toward the' feed end of the machine.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, lrepresents the frame ofthe machine, provided with the bearings 2 and 3,

within which revolves the quill 5, and also withl the bearing 4, which carries the .hub 6 of gear 7 Gear 7 is fixed on the small end 8'of shaft 9, by the feather 106 and nut 105. Shaft 9' is carried at its large end,31 by the .bearing sleeve 10 fixed theend 1 1 vof i quill 5. Quill 5 has `fixed on it the pulley v12, which is rotated by a beltnot shown.

from any suitable source of power. The

Y end 13 of quill5 has fixed to it the gear 14,

.- and 4. Gear 15 is rigid .with a'gcar 19,

on its surface.

which meshes with a gear 7 fixed on shaft 9, as previously described.'` Gear -15 is somewhat larger than gear 14 and gear 7 is larger by the same amount than gear 19, so that shaft 9 is compelled to rotate at a somewhat slower rate than vquill 5. 11 of quill 5 is integral with the disc 20, rigid with the conical foraminous mantle 21, having on its inner surface numerous grooves 22, at each of which said mantle is perforated with a large number of holes 23` as best shown in Figures 7 and 8. Overlying the inner surface' of mantle 21 isthe conical screen 24, held in place at its smaller end by inserting it in the circular groove 25. Referring also to the enlarged view, Figure 8, it is seen that the large end of screen 24 is bent outward into the ygroovev 26 in the thickened end-29 of mantle 21, forming a narrow flange 27, through which it is secured by a filling ring 28, Jforced into said groove 26. The said filling ring 28 may be a piece of rope, or square packing, or short pieces of wood, or any suitable material, which can be readily removed. During operation, the

` filling will be firmly held in place by centrifugal force. Holes 30, Fig. 8, permit the insertion of a rod for forcing out said filling 28.

The larger portion 31 of shaft 9 has formed on it the disc 32, integral with the rim portion 33, the conical portion 34, and the cylindrical extension 35. `Where the part'35 joins part 34, inner blades 116 are attached, *their inner or horizontal edges forming a. continuation of the bore of part v 35 as best shown in Figure 8. From the center of disc 32 projects the boss 36, terminating in the cone 37 having theblades 38 Rim 33, as best shown in Figures 2 and 8, is perforated with numerous holes 39, the solid parts between them, see Figure 6, serving as impeller blades to impart velocity to the material fed to said holes. For the sake of cheapness of manufacture the spaces 39 between blades 40 are preferably made as round Y drilled holes, but their center lines need not pass through the axis of rotation of the rim Where the vconical tube portion 34 joins the rim 33 it has onits outside a cylindrical pa rt 41 over which is fitted the annular endplate 42 of the foraminous mantle or screw conveyor 43, see Figures 2, 5 and 8. The

conical shell, or mantle 43, has fixed to itsouter` surface Ithe* helically' disposed ribs 44,

End

used on the conveyor 43, because a single structure.

rlhe inner periphery of end plate 42 is extended to form the conical inner shell 45 with a thickened cylindrical part 46.' The' helix would not make va perfectly7 balanced end of the part 46 fits over the tub'nlar'member 35, which is threaded at its end and fitted with the nut 47, provided with a ynumber of setscrews 48, as best shown in Figures 2 and 8.

The entire conveyor .structure is secured byl nut 47, which is screwed on by hand, af ter which the setscrews 48 are tightened with a small wrench. A dowel pin 200, Figures 3, 2 and 8, prevents the conveyor structure from turning on the rim 'or ring 33. The particular method of fastening just described is adopted in order to avoid any distortion of the machine that would be likely to occur lif the ring nut 47 were screwed down too tight. rlhe ,rapid and 'easy removal of conveyor 43 from the machine is also made possible by means of this method of fastening, because the partsl can be quickly loosened `and removed, thus enabling the-.withdrawal of the said conveyor 43 and affording access to the separating screen 24 for overhanling and repairs.l

The large end of conveyor 43 terminates in an inwardly extending disc 49, and in the space between, the discs 49,and 42 are fixed the fan blades 50, bestshown in Figures 2 and 8, which by their rotation serve to force air, and in some cases liquid spray, through the holes 51 in the foraminous mantle of conveyor 43, through the material treated on screen 24, through said screen and through' the holes 23 in mantle 21. this said air thus escaping with the separated liquid. Air is admitted to the inner edges of fan blades 50 through the c`ylindrical shell 52, forming an outward extension from the .inner periphery of disc 49.- Water, or (itl-1er liquid or steam may also be admitted through a tube 53, see Figure 2, to be mixedwith this said air by the blades 50 and driven through the material with it,

'as may bed'esirable in the separating procbe clear that through the train of gears 14, 15, 19 and 7, the mantle 21 will be more rapidly rotated than will be the mantle 43; that the mixed liquids and solids entering through the tubes 59, 56, and 54, will find their way through the openings 8f' to the space between said mautles 21 and 43. and that owing to the action of centrifugal force` aided by the air pressures caused by the fan blades 5() and 116, as well as by other agen# cies to be disclosed below, the liquids will pass on through said mantle 21, while the solids will be rotated around the periphery of the cone shaped conveyor or mantle 43 between its screw threads 44, until they are discharged at the larger end of said mantle, all as will likewise appear more fully hereinafter.

But referring again to the mantle 21, at the small end of said mantle inside of screen groove 25, blades 60 are xed encircling the solid portions or blades 40, integral with disc 32, as best shown in Figures 2, 6 and 8. The said blades 60,'owing to the reducing action of the gear train 14, 15, 19 and 7, will thus rotate at a greater number of revolutions than the blades 40, the purpose of which arrangement will appear further on.

On the outer surface of mantle 21, at its larger end, there is fixed the small end or conical shell 61, extending towards, but ,not to, the small end of mantle 21. To the said small end of mantle 21 is iiXed the small end of 'shell 62, disposed' parallel with mantle 21, but sep-arated from4 it beyond its point of attachment 1by the space 63. The large end of shell 62 doesnot quite reach the vertical plane of the large end of shell 61, but is separated therefrom by a small space 64, as appears from Figures 2 and 8.

After the liquid passes through the mantle 21 in the manner above described, it finds its way into the receiver 68 now to be disclosed, and which is shown detached from the machine in Figure 3. That is to Say, surrounding the large end of shell 61, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8, is the inner edge 65 of the stationary dished deflecting .ring 66, the out* ward extension of which reaches somewhat beyond the vertical plane of the large end ot shell 62. One edge of ring 66 is concavely curved, as at 67. The defiecting ring66, 1s formed into an upper half or shell 69, and a lower half 86, and these, two halves constitute the said liquid receiver 68. The lower half 86 .of ring 66 is joined tothe plate 85, Figures 1 and 3, Jforming a downward eX- tension of the semi-circular shell' 69 or an exit for the fluid. The portion of receiver 68 opposite plate 85, is' closed oit by a iiat plate 70, Figures 1 and 3, having a circular central opening 71, Figures 1 and 8, and from the edge of which there extends into the receiver 68 the cylindrical shell 72 with an annular disc 7 3 at its free end, thus forming au outward circular channel around said shell 72. The outer face of disc 73 is so located that the large end of shell 62 projects slightly beyond it, as shown in Figures 1, 2 ant 8. i

From Figure 3 it lwill be seen that the upper face 75'of the receiver 68 is made semicircular while the lower face 76 is made rectangular and without a base, thus providing a large opening 121 for draining o the liquid thrown into said receiver. An air escape 74 is provided at the top of the upper part tol give additional chance for the escape ot' air driven through the material by the tan blades 50. As will be seen from Figure the upper parts 75 and 69 of the receiver 68 are connected to the lower parts 76 and 86 by bolts 77 passing through suit-able Hanges 78 and 79 atv the 'plane of junction.

The special construction just described facilitates the lifting out of the rotating parts oi the machine by first removing the upper parts 75 and 69 of the receiver. The lower portions 76 and 86 of the receiver with plate 7() are fixed to the front plate 81 of the main frame 1 by the bolts 80, as shown in Figure 1. It will now be clear that by removing the bolts 98, the front platev 58, and the nut like ring 47 the whole inner cone shaped mantle 43 may be readily slid out of the machine. over the straight guide pins 200, and by removing the bolts 77, Figure 3, the upperportion of the liquid receiver 68 can be lifted off to expose the mantle-21 and its associated parts. p

Encircling the thickened large end 29 of mantle 21, Figures 1, 2 and 8, but located slightly back of the vertical plane of its face, is the inner edge 82 of the dished deilecting ring member 83, forming the back of the receiver 84 for the separated solids. This said receiver is shown removed from the machine in lFigure 9, the view being taken when looking from the rear toward the feed end of the machine. The said ring 83 is joined to the semi-circular shell 87, Figures 2, 8 and 9, and to plate 88, see Figures 1 and 9. Plate 88 is in turn joined at its ends to the vertical sides .89 of receiver 84, see Figures 1 and 9. Said plate 88 and sides 89 form downward continuations ot with which it is secured by bolts 92v to base/125 93, connected by lateral ribs 94, Figure' '1, with the main frame 1.

When it becomes necessary for any reason to remove the rotating parts of the machine, receiver 84 may be also removed bodily after merely unscrewing bolts 92, when the upper part of the liquid receiver 68 is lifted oft', as previously explained. An air vent 95 is provided at the top of the receiver 84 to afford an escape for any air that may come over with t-he dried solids, or enter through the annular openings 82 and 102, constituting` the dividing spaces between the rotating and stationary parts. Front plate 90 has a large circular central opening 96, figures 1, 2 and 8, into which is fitted the inwardly coned ring 58 before described, andwhich is made removable, being secured to end plate 90 by bolts 98 passing through flange 97.

It will be seen from Figures 1, 2 and S that the large ends of shells 61 and 62 are respectively provided on their exteriors with short teeth-like fan blades 99 and 100,- blades 99 rotating within the inner edge 65 of deflecting plate 66, and blades 100 similarly rotating within the annular. disc 73 at the end of cylindrical shell 72. The saidblades are inclined as shown in Figure 1 so that they pick up air from the outside with their advancing edges. The said blades thus tend to force a current of air into the liquid rcceiver 68, and thereby counteract any tendency of liquid or air carrying liquid to escape from said receiver at the joints where it is closed by the rotating elements.

Similar short inclined fan bladesv101 are provided on the periphery of the end of mantle 21 to rotate within the inner edge 82 of the solids delector 83, for the purpose of creating an inward air current to prevent any stray particles of solids from escaping at the joint formed. For the same'reason the rotating shell or air duct 52 has at vits end short peripheral blades 102, higher at their inner edgel and adapted to rotate with? in the inner edge of the conical ring 58.

It will now beL clear that in addition to the action of centrifugal forces and the actions of the fan blades 50 and 116 heretofore mentioned as aiding the separation of the liquids from the solidsgthis machine" \invokes the assistance of the sets. of fan blades lettered 40, 60, 99, 100, 101, 102, some of which served in a measure to force air along with the liquids from the orifices 22 of mantle 21.

At the shoulder -103, Figure 2, where shaft 9 is reduced in diameter to form the part 8, a..collar 104 is fixed by clamping against said shoulder 103 the gear7. This clamping action is effected by means of the nut 105. Collar 104 is prevented from ro- 'tating on shaft 8 by feather 106. Collar 104 is encircled by the ring member 107, integral with 'gear 14, and to the face of ring 10T is attached the annular disc 108 by means o1' screws 109. Collar 104 is thus free to rotate in the space enclosed by gear 14, ring member 107 and disc 108, and acts as a thrustbearing to prevent any axial displacement between shaft 9 and quill 5 and of the associatedv parts.

The collar or bearing 10 is only subject to radialloads, and these will not be much more than those due to they weight of parts attached to shaft 9. Therefore, and also because of the slow relative rotation of sha ft 9 inside of quill 5, bearing 10 will require 1 only a slight amount of lubrication, and if anti-friction metal is used, no lubrication whatever will be required. This feature is important, from a practical point of View, because itis objectionable with most materials treated to have them contaminated with oil. To insure that no oil can pass from the copiously lubricated thrust collar 104 to the material in `space 111 between the mantle 43 and fan blades 60, or through the clearance space 140 between the shaft 9 and guide 5, nor between. the bearing 10 and the clearance spaces 114, 115, a suiiiciently deep outward groove 150 is provided at the junction of spaces 114 and 115 for such oil to gather in, and a number of holes 151 lead outward therefrom, by which said oil is thrown off centrifugally during the operation, and thus permitted to drain off when the machine is .v not running.

The operation of the process and' a paratus, so far as has been now disclose is as follows:

Power being applied to the pulley 12 b a suitable belt not shown, the quill 5 wit attached disc 20 andmantle 21 are revolved at the separator end of the machine, while gear 14 is coincidently revolved at the gear end of the machine. Gear 14 in turn revolves 'gear 15 with the attached gear 19,

and gear 19 revolves gear 7 with shaft 9v and the attached conveyor mantle 43 at the separator end. The rotation of mantle 43 will be in the same direction as that of quill 5 and mantle 21, but at a somewhat slower rate due to. the proportions of the gear train 14, 15, 19 and 7. At the same time, material is continuously supplied at a uniform rate ,y

through hose 59, elbow 56 and feed tube 54.

`Before issuing at the widened mouth V55 of the fixed tube 54 the blades 38, rotating at a high speed with-shaft 9, impart a whlrling motion to the material, by-which it is made to issue in an annular spreading jet of a proximately uniform thickness lfrom t e mouth 55. The rotating blades 38 or their equivalent are important in a machine having a horizontal or somewhat inclined axis, like that of the present invention, because without them the material would be liable to pour out, chiefly on the lower side of the' mouth 55, and would not be evenly distributedto the inner edges of the impeller blades 40 and to the screeen 24, thus causin an uneven loading and an unbalancing o the machine. But the blades 38 n lay be omitted where there is suiicient friction -between the material and the cone 37 to impart adequate rotary motion to said material.

The material issuing from themouth 55 in a more or less radial direction will be caught Vpartly by the blades 116 and partly by the inner smooth surface of cone 34, in,

layer. Material caught by blades 116 will also be driven onto the inner surface of cone 34, and togetherwith the material directly delivered thereon, will be driven by cen- .trifugal force to the large end of said cone 34. At the same time, and since the inner surface of cone 34 is necessarily truly centered from the axis of rotation, if there exists at any plane of rotation a difference in the thickness vof material on said true inner surface, the hydrostatic pressure due to such dierence in thickness under the action of centrifugal force will cause an equalizing of such thickness, in a similar manner to that in which liquids on a planet will be leveled up to a truly central circle in the plane of rotation under the action of gravitation. From the foregoing, it is obvious that the material will be distributed to the inner edges of all the impeller blades 40 in practically equal amounts. The provision or such equal distribution of the material is a very important one with a machine of this character having its axis horizontal, or somewhat inclined from the horizontal.

The blades 116 on the inside of the small end vof cone 34 also have the function of creating a current of air into the Aspace within cone 34 and ring 33, as above stated, and of preventing outward leakage of any stray particles of material.

The material delivered to the yinner yedges of blades 40, as described, is further accelerated by them and moved outward by centrifugal force, attaining the velocity of the outer circumference of blades 40. At this point the material is delivered to the inner edges of blades 60, which through the disc 20 and quill 5 are integral with gear 14, rotating as previously explained at a greater number of revolutions per minute,

than gear 7; to which, blades 40 are rigidly' connected through disc 32 and shaft 9. The inner edges of blades 60 'thus having a greater velocity than the outer edges of blades 40, the material will be quickly removed at the circumference of blades 40, thus preventing an accumulation-ofV said material in the'said space 111 and the building lup of lpressure within it, which pressure would tend to force the mantle conveyor 43 out of the mantle 21, and would therefore ,fall onto the thrust bearing 104 with the possibility ofV overloading it.

The blades 60 could be omitted in those cases where the frictional contact of the material with the curved surface 112, see Figure 2, at the small end of mantle 21,. is suflicient to bring the lmaterial up to the, speed of said surface. The forward curvature of the surface 112, either with or without the blades 60, causes the material to acquire a forward motion towards the space 118 between mantle conveyor 43 and mantle 21, occupied by the conveyor helices 44.

These said helices now pick it up and screwr the material forward in an axial direction along the surface of screen 24, during which rocess the liquid content of the material is driven outward by centrifugal action and air pressure through the screen 24 and into the grooves 22, escaping` from these grooves outward through the holes 23. The screw like action of the conveyor ribs 44 is due to their speed being slower thanthat" ofthe material carried along by friction with the faster rotating surface of screen 24. During the process just described airis being drawn into the interior of conveyor cone 43 by the action of the fan blades 50, which drive it outward through the holes 51 in said cone 43 into the space 118, whence it is driven outward with the liquid throughthe screen 24 and holes 23 in mantle 21, the air vaiding the cleaning process by brushing or blowing off liquid films adhering tothe solid grains ofthe material. To further aid the cleaning action,`water or other liquid, or steam, may be introduced through the pipe 53 as above mentioned, to the inner edges of blades 50, which latter atomize said liquid and cause it to mix intimately with the air drawn in and discharging the same with the air in the direction described.

Owing to the inclination of the conical surface of screen 24, centrifugal force will aid the conveyor helices 44 inI moving the material towards the large end of said screen but. the inclination of said screen Athat is admissible by other considerations is such that it is found that the frictional resistance of most materials in moving over the screen surface will generally over-- can be derived from centrifugal action.

This excess of frictional resistance will pressure, which might be produced on said bearing in the opposite direction in case a centrifugal pressure were set u in the material while passing through tile space 111, as previously described.

The liquid discharged through .screen 24 .and lioles 23, in flying off outward, meets the inner conical surfaces of shells 61 and 62, except at the narrow space 64 between the large ends of said shells. Driven by centrifugal action towards and ofi' the opposed large ends of shells 61 and 62, these two bodies of liquid and air join with the part discharged at s ace 64 and fly off.

energy existing in the discharged mass of liquid and expanding air. The laterally deflected liquid strikes against the opposite face of plate 70 of the liquid receiver 68, and at the same time allows the air mixed with it to separate out and gather in the space 120, whence it can escape outward through air vent 74 and also at the open bottom 121. The liquid deflected from plate 66 and discharged from edge 119 has some tangential velocity, when it strikes against plate 70. Hence the impact on plate 70 is not vertical to its surface, but somewhat inclined, and the liquid therefore is less scattered and tends to flow along and hug the surface of plate 70, so that the friction generated destroys most of the energy of motion remaining in said-liquid. Most of the liquid therefore flows downward and out at the open base 121. That part of the liquid flowing down plate 70 in the space 122 above the circular shell 72 is found to be diverted sideways over its surface and finally drips off at its lower part through the open bottom 121.

In order to prevent any of the agitated mixture of liquid and air scattered around in receiver 68 from escaping outward at the narrow annular openings 123 and 124, where the rings 66 and 7 3 approach the ,rotating shells 61 and 62, see Figure 2, an inward current of air is produced by the short inclined fan blades 99 and 100, attached to the said shells 61 and 62, such air escaping from the receiver 68 through vent 74 and open bottom 121.

The separated tain small particles of solid matter, which may gradually bank up on the high part of shell 72, from where it may be -periodi- -cally dislodged b f an attendant through vent 74, or l1f gat ering in suiiicient quan-- tity, it may be continuously removed by any liquid will generally consuitable meansy such as an air jet from a pipe extending through vent 74, as at 130 in Figure 3.

The two conical shells Gland 62 are preferably provided instead of a'simpler construction involving a single shell covering the entire liquid discharge fzone from mantle 21, .for several reasons. One of these reasons resides in the fact that by the use of two shells the plane of discharge 64 can be located at the most convenient point along the axis of the machine. Furthermore, since v"an inner conical surface like that afforded by shells 61 and 62 will through surface friction bring the thin layer of liquid coming in contact with it practically up to its own velocity, such shells increase the energy of motion of the liquid, while the power required for this is in proportion to the square of thev diameters of their large ends. Therefore, since the bulk of the liquid will generally be discharged from screen 24 close to its small end, and a comparatively small amount nearer its large end, it would cause an unnecessary increase of power consumption and whirling of the liquid, if the'latter were all delivered from screen 24 into a single rotating shell. In this latter case, it` is found that the large diameter of the single shell would have to be even larger than the large diamg eter of shell 61.

The solid particles of the material moved over screen 24 towards its large end arrive there deprived of liquid and are discharged over the face of end 29 of mantle 21 in a thin sheet, -the particles taking a course y/y tangential to the diameter at discharge and striking onto deflecting ring 83, are thereby diverted laterally with some loss of energy of motion and impinge on the opposite face of plate 90, whence part of them may be thrown back and forth until their energy is exhausted. These particles dischar ed be- .low the rotating air inlet shell '52 will then ping down through the opening 201. The

particles falling onto the rotating shell 52 lwill be partly thrown off by centrifugal force and will partly slide ofi', all finding their way to and. through the 'Open bottom At the same time theshort inclinedrfan blades 101 at the end 29 of mantle 21 will force currents of'air through the vannular space between the rotating parts and the inner edges y,of the stationary parts, and blow bac any particles of solids that may tend to escape outward at these points. The

air thus supplied will escape partly at vent 95 at the' top or throughl the openbottom 201. `In a similar manner, and for the same purpose, a current of airI 'produced by blades 102 at the end of the rotating air duct, 52 will prevent escape of solid particles at that point.

The illustrations herewith given show a machine with horizontal axis. It is obvious, however, that the axis of this machine may without detriment to its successful working, be somewhat inclined forward or backward, which might be desirable with some materials, in order to improve discharge conditions of either the liquid or solids products into. their respective receivers. Such inclinations of the axis of rotation with this design of machine must', however, not exceed the limits beyond which either of the separated products would fail to slide down by gravity over the inside surfaces of the members 66, 70, 83 or 90 of the products receivers. The horizontal dis# position of the axis would always be preferred, and an inclined axis would be only adopted when other considerations outweighed the advantagesof said horizontal axls.

As stated above, an important feature of this invention resides in the readiness with which the parts can be removed for cleaning and repairs. So 1t is repeated 'that when 1t becomes necessary to examine or replace screen 24, it is only necessary to proceed as follows: The conical ri 58 supporting the feed tube 54 is removlddwith the latter after unscrewing the bolts 98. Said removal is effected without breaking the feed connection 59, since the latter is flexible and of sufficient length to admit of this. The set screws 48 in nut 47 are then loosened, so that the said nut can be unscrewed by hand, after which the conveyor with its attached parts is withdrawn, thereby exposing screen 24. The removal of screen 24 can be effected after pushing out the filling 28 from groove 26 by means of'a rod inserted through holes 30 in the mantle end 29. To put in a new screen its small end is inserted into the groove 25 at the small end of the inner sur- I face of mantle 21. The edge at the large end is then bent over into the groove 26 at the large end and tle filling 28 is forced in. The large end of the screen may also have its edge bent over previous to insertion,

in case it has an open joint lengthwise. The

mantle conveyor 43 is then replaced, nut 47 screwed on by hand'and set screws 48 tightcned with a small wrench. Next the conical ring 58 is put back and secured by bolts 98.

vThe machine can then be started up and the supply of material turned on.

The same centrifugal machine is generally called upon to treat material that varies from time to time in degree of separability.

Thus, a certain lot of material may be satisfactorily separated in a given centrifugal of the type described during its passage over the screen in the time fixed by the inclination and speed of the conveyor blades 44, but another lot of material may require a longer time or a shorter' time forsatisfactory separation.. This'can .readily be provided for in this machine by having on hand a number of conveyorv members 43 with blades 44 of different pitches, to suit a longer or shorter time of treatment at the same rotary speed of the machine. It results that the change from one conveyor to another having a different pitch o'f screw can according to the foregoing disclosure be readily and quickly made, and that therefore widely differing materials can be treated in the same machine after a slight alteration.

Most of the centrifugals proposed or triedfor the continuous separating of liquids Yfrom solids have been arranged with a vertical axis, following in this respect the well known intermittently operating type of cenl trifugal. But in the continuously operating machines with vertical axes, the products of' separation are diverted downwards by gravity in the direction of the axis, and the separator part is located above the axis with its bearings and an attachment to a motor. These partsare all very inaccessible, on account of their being of necessity entirely or almost entirely enshrouded by the two products discharged. If a belt,.d1ive is used, this will have ,to pass through a closed passage penetrating the said discharge products.

In an intermittently operating centrifugal machine having a vertical axis, there are generally not more than two bearings and these on account of their intermittent operation do not call for the care and attention necessary with the large number of bearings required in a continuously operating centrifugal, which in some industries, like sugar refining, may have to run night and day for six days every week during nine months 'of the year. Continuous centrifugals will nearly always be of a much smaller diameter than intermittent ones, because for the same peripheral speed the centrifugal acceleration, of which a maximum is desirable, varies inversely as the diameter. -Hence continuous centrifugals would run at twice or three times the rate of revolutions of the intermittent ones, which feature makes attention to' their bearings still more important; Intermittently operating centrifugals have, on account of the frequent stops for charging and discharging, very much less capacity of output than continuous ones, and to make up for this defect to some extent at least and to decrease the cost of attendance they-'are made of a larger size, thereby losing considerable centrifugal, eiiect.l

If the shaft and bearings are placed above the separator part in a vertical continuous machine, great diliculties are encountered in designing for the introduction of the material, and of the air. and othersubstances that may be required in its treatment. Such an arrangement would also rcquire a more extensive dismantling, and

hence would take more time and labor to apply in a continuous centrifugal, so that a f laterally disposed belt drive would generally be adopted. This would require much more floor space with the vertical axis, than with a horizontal, or moderately inclined one, in which the belt would generally be carried either upward or downward from the source of power.

In the vertical machine the products of separation are necessarily diverted down- Wards by gravity, the discharge of the products being superimposed around the entire circumference. This circumstance admits of only a moderate inclination of the axis from the vertical, assuming such inclination offered any advantage. AIn'clining the axis` of thevertical machine does therefore not producethe same result as does an inclination of the axis in the horizontal type of machine, made the subject of this invention, and within the limits defined in the foregoing. In other lwords, the nonvertical centrifugal machine forming the subject of this invention is adapted to be placed with the axis either horizontal or moderately inclined, and with the separator parts overhung at one end of said axis with the result that it is free from the objections mentioned as pertaining to the vertical type.

It will now be clear from the foregoing description that the present invention provides for a process of operation with a horizontal type of continuous centrifugal l separator, in which the material treated is introduced in a uniformly distributed manner to the inside of the accelerating member, thereby maintaining the machine in balance duringoperation, and operating at a maximum capacity under existing conditions;

that pressure in an axial direction tending I to force apart the conveying and separating members, is counteracted by a secondary accelerating member, surrounding the first named accelerating member; that the separated materials are discharged outward in zones separated from each other by a considerable distance in an axial direction; that escape of products from their receivers at undcrsirable .places is prevented by inward currents of air; that proper meansiof escape from said receivers is provided for the. air used in the separating process; that the apparatus is arranged for easy inspection, cleaning, and repairing, of all its parts; that oil is prevented from reaching the material treated; that the removal and replacement of parts 'subject to wear, and the dismantling of the machine generally as for inspection, can be easily and rapidly effected; and that the type of horizontal machine herein described may also be operat'din a, position inclined within the limits herein set forth.

It is obvious that those skilled in the 'mrt may readiliynngke modifications of the devices herei confine myself to the particular design shown and described, except as may be required bythe claims.

W'hat is claimed is:

l. In a centrifugal machine of the consaid shaft for causing. said material to be:u

evenly distributed to the space between said cones; a pair of oppositely disposed cones of different diameters spaced apart provided with rims, and .carried by the outer one of said first named cones and adapted to catch a portion of the liquid passing through said outer. cone; and a pair of receivers associated with said rims and provided with stationary ring-like edges in which said rims rotate. 2. In a centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the combination of a pair of separated foraminous, concentrically disposed cones; means for feeding material in a direction from the larger ends of said cones to the smaller ends thereof and to the space between said cones; a third'cone provided with a rim carried by the outermost of said pair of cones and adapted to catch a portion of lany liquid 'that may pass through said outermost cone; means for disclosed. I therefore do not rotating the cones of said pair at different speeds; a conveying helix carried by the innermost cone of sald palr; a receiver for liquid associated w1th said outermost cone provided with a ring like edge in which said rim rotates; and receiver for solids into which said helix is adapted to deliver."y 3. In 'a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the combination of a pair of separated foraminous, concentrically disposed cones; means for feeding material in a direction from the larger ends of said cones to the smaller ends thereof and to the space between said cones; a third cone provided with a rim carried by the outermostof said pair of cones adapted to catch a portion of any liquid that may pass through said outermost cone; means for rotating the cones of said pair at different speeds; a conveying helix carried by the innermost cone of said pair; a receiver for solids into which said helix is adapted to deliver, provided with walls at such an inclination to the horizontal as will insure said solids passing over the same under the action of gravity; and a receiver for liquids into which said third cone is adapted tof deliver, said receiver also provided with a ring like edge in which said rim rotates.

4. In a centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the combination of a pair of separated foraminous, concentrically disposed cones; a third cone provided with a rim, carried by the outermost of said pair of cones and adapted to catch a porti-on of any liquid that may pass through said outermost cone; means for rotating the cones of said pair at different speeds; a conveying helix carried by the innermost cone of said pair; means disposed axially of said cones for feeding material to be treated from the larger ends to the smaller ends of said cones and to the space between said pair of cones; means for causing said material to be uniformly distributed in said space; a receiver for liquid/ associated with said outermost cone, said receiver also provided with a ring like edge in which said rim rotates; and a yreceiver for solids into which said' helix is adapted to deliver.

5. In a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the combination of a pair of separated concentrically disposed foraminous mantles, circular in cross-section; a pair of members each provided with a rim circular in cross section and carried by the outermost mantle of said pair of mantles said member adapted to receive a portion of any liquid passing through said outermost mantle; a liquid receiver provided with ring like edges in which s'aid rims rotate and adapted to "receive liquid from said pair of members; a screw conve or carried by the innermost of said pair o mantles; a receiver for solids into which said screw conveyor is adapted to deliver; axially disposed means extending entirely through the lengths of said mantles for feeding material to the space between fsaid pair of mantles; and means by which l the innermost of said mantles may be readily removed for replacements or repairs' and replaced in the machine.

6. In a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the cornbination of Fa pair vof separated, concen-y trically disposed foraminous mantles circular in cross section; a pair of members each provided with a rim circular in cross sec-V tion and carried by the outermost mantle of said pair of mantles, said membersadapted to receive a portion of any liquid passing throughv said outermost mantle; a liquid receiver provided With ring like edges in which said-rims rotate and adapted 1 to receive liquid from said pair of members; means by which a portion of said receiver may be readily removed from the machine to afford access to said outermost mantle; a screw conveyor carried by the innermost qf said pair of mantles; a receiver forl solids into which said screw conveyor is adapted to deliver; means by which a portion of said last named receiver may be removed to afford access to said outermost mantle; and means by'which the innermost of said mantles may be readily removed for* replacements or repairs and replaced in the machine.

7. In a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal-type, the combination of a pair of separated, concentrically disposed foraminous mantles circular in cross section; a pair of members circular in cross section carried `by the outermost man'- tlc of said pair of mantles adapted `to receive a portion of any liquid passing through said outermost mantle; a liquid receiver m0 adapted to receive liquid from said pair -of members; blades for blowing air through said pair of mantles; a screw conveyor carried by the innermost ofvsaid vpair of mantles; a receiver for solids into 'which said 105 screw conveyor is adaptedto deliver; n'ieans to feed material between said mantles: fan blades for impelling ai'r along with said material as it is forced into the space between said mantles; and means by which the innermost of said mantles maybe readily removed for replacements or repairs and replaced in the machine, substantially as described.

8. In a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the combination ofy a pair of separated concentriv cally disposed foraminous mantles the, outermost one provided with a set of fan blades V on its outer surface and the innermost one provided with fan blades on its inner surface; a pairl of imperforate vessels on'thc outer surface of said outermost mantle adapted to receive a portion of the'l1qu1d passing through said last named mantle; fan blades lcarried by eachlof said vessels;

a' liquid receiver havingan' opening surn rounding the fan blade'sof one of said vessels; anda receiver for solids having an opening surrounding the fan blades of the tion of a 10 its inner surface; a pair of imperforate cone shaped vessels on the outer surface of said outermost mantle adapted to receive a p01'- tion of the liquid passing through said last named mantle; fan blades carried by each of said vessels; a liquid receiver a portion of which is readily removable from the machine having an opening surrounding the fan blades of one of said vessels; and a receiver for solids a portion of which is also readily removable from the machine having an opening surrounding the fanl blades of the other of said vessels, substantially as described.

10. In a continuously operating centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the com- 'bination of a pair of separated concentrically disposed foraminous mantles, the outermost one provided with a set of fan blades on its outer surface and the innermost one provided with fanv blades on its inner surface; a fixed centrally disposed feed tube for passing material into the machine and having a flaring delivering end: a substantially horizontally disposed shaft 355around the axis of which said mantles revolve provided with impeller members coacting with said flaring end to evenly distribute the material between said mantles; a pair of imperforate vessels on thel outer 4o surface of lsaid outermost mantle adapted to receive a portion of the liquid passing through said last named mantle; fan blades carried by each of said vessels; a liquid re ceiver having an opening surrounding the fan blades of one of said vessels, and a re- Yceiver for solids having an opening surrounding the fan blades of the other of said vessels, substantially as described.

11. In a continuously operatingl centrifugal machine of the horizontal type, the

combination of an outer foraminous cone shaped mantle fa pair of cone shaped liq- .uid receiving. 'vessels each provided with a rim, saidvessels spaced apart, and carried on the outer surface of said foraminous mantle, a liquid receiver provided with a pair of ring like stationary edges in which said rims rotate, said receiver adapted to receivel liquid from said vessels; an inner cone shaped .mantle concentrically disposed Within and spaced from said first named mantle; a helical conveying means carried by said inner mantle; means by which material may be continuously fed to the space betWeen'saidZ-mantles; and means by which lsaid inner mantle may be readily withdrawn from the machine and a new one substituted. l

12. In' an apparatus for continuously separating liquid from solids' by centrifugal action of the type herein described adapted tov have its axis inclined at any angle between and including a horizontal position and an inclination for which any part of lthe separated products will not slide or flow down by gravity on a plane at right angles to said axis, the combination of a pair of cone shaped foraminous mantles and a. fixed centrally disposed 'feeding means extending entirely through said mantles and communicating with the space between the same, said means comprising a fixed central feed tube for the material; a rotating tube surrounding said feed tube carrying means for impelling said material outward; and blades within an enlarged part of said rota-ting tube, to cause an inward current of air in the space between said feed tube and said rotating tube, thereby preventing material from escaping outward through said space. 4

13. In a non-vertical horizontal type apparatus for continuously separating liquids from solids by centrifugal action, the combination of a fixed central feed tubev for said feed tube carrying means for impelling said material outward; and blades within an enlarged part of said rotating tube, to cause an inward current of air in'the space between said feed tube and said rovthe material; a rotating tube surrounding secondary means to receive the accelerated Y material at one end; and a screw conveyor,

integral with said inner conical surface, to

move said material over said foraminous body to expel the liquid therefrom by'centrifugal action.

14. In .an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquids from solids by centrifugal action, the combination of a fixed central feed tube for the-material; 'a rotating bladed surface to whirl and spread the said material issuing from t-he mouth of said tube; an inner conical surface, integral with but outside said bladed surface, to rcceive'and further spread and equalize the said material; a ring of rotating impeller blades to accelerate said material; aforaminous surface, rotatingat a higher rat-e of speed to receive said material at one end; and a screw conveyor rotating at a lower rate of speed to move said material over said foraminous surface to expel the liquid therefrom by centrifugal force.

15. In an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquid from solids by centrifugal action, the coin bination of a fixed central feed tube for the material; a rotating tube surrounding said feed tubecarrying` means for impelling said material outward; and blades within an enlarged part of said rotating tube, to cause an inward current of air in .the space between said feed tube and said rotating tube, thereby preventing material from escaping outward through said space.

1G. In an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquid from solids, the combination of an outer rotating foraniinous' mantle; a plurality of conical sliellsexterior to and integral with said mantle to confine the outward liquid discharge to a narrow zone; a second foraininoiis mantle rotating inside said outer mantle; feeding means comprising a fixed central feed'tube for the material; a rotating tube surrounding said feed tube carr ine means for im ellin" said material outward; and blades within an enlarged part of said rotating tube, to cause an inward current of air in the space between said feed tube and said rotating tube, thereby preventing material from escaping outward through said space, said feeding means connected with the space between said mantles for continuously conveying material to said space; and a liquid receiver having a curved surface adapted to divert said zonal discharge against an Iopposite surface of said receiver to reduce the commotion in the discharged liquid by fluid friction.

17. In an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquid from lsolids by centrifugal action, the combination of a rotating foraininous mantle,

' rigid with an exterior conical shell; a stationary liquid receiver surrounding said shell; fan blade rigid with sa-id mantle and said shell ada ted to force air into said receiver, and thereby to prevent outward escape of liquid through thespace between said receiver and the rotating parts.

18. In an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquids from solids, the combination of an outer rotating foraminous mantle; la more slowly rotating conveyor disposed inside said mantle and provided with an end ring portion and an inner tubular part; a shaft expanded at one end into a circular plate carrying a tubular y extension, ovei` which said inner tubular part of said conveyor is removably fitted; a nut screwed onto the free end ofsaid tubular extension of said shaft; and set screws passing through said nut against the end face of said inner tubular part of said conveyor,

to force said disc against said part, thereby securing said conveyor in place while providing for its 'easy detachment from said shaft.

19. In an apparatus of the character described for continuously separating liquids from solids by centrifugal action, the combination of a rotating foraminous mantle; a disc rigid with one end of said mantle; a tubular shaft rigid with said disc; a screw conveyor; means for rotating said conveyor at a sloweri'at'e of speed than said mantle, comprising a. shaft and a disc integral with said shaft; la bearing in o ne end of said tubular shaft to support one end of said second named shaft; a bearing to support the other end of said second named shaft beyond the other end of said tubular shaft; a collar,

fixed to said second named shaft, adapted to bear with one face against the free end of said tubular shaft; a ring rigid with said tubular shaft surrounding said collar; and an annular disc, fixed to the face of said ring adapted to bear against the face of said collar.

20. In an apparatus -of the character described, for continuously separating liquid from solids by centrifugal action, the combination of an outer foraminous rotating mantle, within which liquid is expelled from the material; a disc rigidly connecting one end of saidmantle with one end of a quill carried in suitable bearings; a screw conveyor, rotating at a lower rate within said mantle, and rigid at one end through a circular plate with a shaft rotating within said quill; a bearing within said quill for supporting said shaft centrally; a circular o'ilgathering groove associated with said disc and quill; and holes leading outward from said groove to divert and carry off to the outside oil leaking from said bearing and thus prevent its getting mixed with the materiai treated.

.21. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a foraminous means provided with a rim like portion and adapted to separate liquids from solids; a receiv'er provided with a stationary ring like member in which said rim portion rota-tes; and means carried by said rim likeportion adapted to continuously cause air to flow between said rotating rim like portion and said stationary ring likeinember into said receiver when said foraminous means is functioning, whereby vmaterial delivered `to said receiver is prevented from escaping therefrom.

22. In an apparatus of the character described thel combination of a foraminous means provided with` a pair of rotating means and adapted to separate liquids from solids; a pairw of receivers associated with said rims and provided with stationary ring like edges in which said rims rotate; Aand inthe other, the outer member provided with a plurality of rings of rotating fan blades; a plurality of receivers associated with said cone shaped members provided withv stationary ring like edges] in which said fan blades rotate to force air into said receivers.

24. In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a rotating foraminous means adapted to separate solids from liquids and comprising a cone shaped member; a

pair of open ended oppositely disposed cone 20 shaped shells associated with 'said member providing aspacebetween their larger open ends through which liquid may pass in the form of a ring; rims provided With fan blades carried by said shells; and ring like means in which said fan blades rotate adapted to prevent said liquid escaping over said rims.

In an apparatus of the class described the combination of a rotating foraminous cone provided on its outer surface with a pair of cone shaped shells closed at their outer ends and providing a space between their inner open ends adapted for the passage of liquid; a receiver into which said liquid passes from said space; rims provided with fan blades carried by said shells; and ring like'means carried by said receiver' in which said fan blades rotate, whereby liquid delivered from said shells into said receiver is prevented from escaping over said rims.

ln testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

HANS C. BEHR. 

